H023044051

The International Journal Of Engineering And Science (Ijes)

||Volume||2 ||Issue|| 3 ||Pages|| 44-54||2013||

Issn: 2319 �– 1813 Isbn: 2319 �– 1805

www.theijes.com The IJES Page 44

Transformation of Waste into Resource through Proper Dumping Site

Selection: A Case Study in Kurigram Sadar Upazila,

1,Chowdhury Quamruzzaman, 2, A.K.M Fayazul Kabir, 3, A.S.M. Woobaid Ullah 1,2,3,Department of Geology, University of Dhaka

----------------------------------------------------------------Abstract--------------------------------------------------------------

Kurigram Sadar Upazila is one of the under developing upaliza’s of Bangladesh which is occupied by 0.25 million people

of an area of 265.75sq. Km.; the main occupation is farming where living about 40,000 farmers. This upazila produces

about 1, 500000 Kg/month solid waste but still has not got any declared waste disposal site. This is creating major threat

to the environment, high risk to human health, plants and animals. To get rid of it few soil samples of the studied area

have been collected for geotechnical analysis to determine the best sites and out of eight sites four sites have been chosen

for waste disposal. Mogalbachha has been preferred (out of eight sites) as a waste treatment site from all aspects.

Considering the massive volume of the waste, type of waste, quantity, main occupation and degree of development of the

area has been proposed that, this upazila is ideal for ‘Waste to Organic Fertilizer’ project. Still the agriculture sector is

mainly chemical-based which degraded the natural resources, particularly soils, polluted surface and groundwater

resources. Lately, organic-based agricultural production is a rapidly emerging technology, which has been applied allover

the world and becomes profitable, popular and environmental friendly. In this research the best combination and

procedure of organic waste has been proposed from all aspects. Applying this proposal government will be able to provide

free of cost organic fertilizer to all the farmers of the upazila, don’t have to pay subsidy on fertilizer, creates some job

opportunity and make profit about 3, 00, 00,000 taka yearly.

Keywords - Assessment of Environmental Impact, Suitable Site Selection, Waste Management, Geotechnical Analysis.

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Date Of Submission: 24,December, 2013 Date Of Publication:15 March2013

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I. INTRODUCTION Kurigram Sadar Upazila is at the northwest part of Bangladesh; latitude 25045/N to 25055/N and longitude

89035/E to 89050/E. It is occupied by 0.25 million people of an area of 265.75sq. Km., and is one of the under developed

�X�S�D�O�L�]�D�¶�V��R�I��W�K�H country. The land form is mainly dry to medium dry and partially wet to marsh; high to medium land. The

rivers Brammaputra and Dharala passed through of it. The upazila has got about 825 ponds, 15 deep tube wells, 2,148

shallow tube wells [Report of Land and soil resource].The average annual rainfall is about 2,123 mm, with seasonal

cyclones, day temperature ranges from 7 to 12 ºC in the cool months and in the other months it varies between 23 to 30 ºC.

One third land of the upazila gets flooded every year in the rainy

season. Figure-1: Location map of the study area.

Transformation Of Waste Into Resource…


The main occupation is farming; nearly 40,000 farmers and most of them are living under poverty line. Health is hazard

because of poverty, education, backwardness and proper schooling of this upazila. Government has already taken some

good steps to overcome of it. The present research might help the government by best waste sites selection, converting the

waste into resource like organic fertilizer for free distribution among all the farmers and sells in the market to make money

that can be used for the development of the upazila. This project will also create some job scope to uplift the economy. The

daily solid waste of this upazila is about 50 tons per day [Chairman, Kurigram Municipality Corporation] ; about 70%

organic waste that is biodegradable, 30% non biodegradable mostly polythene, plastic, glass. At present there is no waste

management of the municipality, so the authority is disposing all types of waste including sewerage and solid waste in the

low-lying areas without any technical or social consideration which creating huge environmental impacts like different

health hazards diseases of the local resident. Proper waste management (like waste collection, transport, shorting,

processing, recover it into a resource) undertaking by the local government (Kurigram Sadar Upazila Municipality) can

play the most vital role of this project.

II. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objectives of the study as below:

An assessment of environmental impact of improper solid waste disposal.

Suitable sites selection for waste disposal considering geological and geotechnical methods and

Converts the waste into a resource like organic fertilizer to boost up the economy of the upizala.

2.1 Materials:

1. Geomorphic map of Kurigran Sadar Upazilla and its surrounding area from Two SPOT imagry, of 1991.

2. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED): Base map.

3. Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI): Soil and land form map of Kurigran Sadar Upazilla.

4. Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE): Deep tube well bore log.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC): Deep tube well bore log and ground water level.

2.2 Methods:

The study was conducted to identify the environmental impact of inappropriate solid waste disposal, suggest best

possible sites for waste disposal and converts the waste into a resource. In order to do that, grade of water contamination

(surface and underground) and the rate of health hazard diseases have been identified. Few water samples have been

collected from tube wells and surface for physical test and chemical test. For site selection deep tube well bore log collected

from different sources have been use to delineate subsurface lithologic condition and identify the water table of the studied

area. Soil samples have been collected for Geotechnical analysis (porosity, permeability and plastic limit) to determine the

�E�H�V�W�� V�L�W�H�V�� )�L�Q�D�O�O�\�� µ�Z�D�V�W�H�� W�R�� R�U�J�D�Q�L�F�� I�H�U�W�L�O�L�]�H�U�¶�� L�V�� M�X�V�W�� O�L�N�H�� D�� K�R�W�� F�D�N�H��and applying all over the world; and the waste

treatment process has been modified in aspect of degree of development, economy and geology of the studied area

III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF IMPROPER WASTE DISPOSAL Kurigram Sadar Upazila produces about 1, 500000 Kg/month solid waste but still has not got any declared waste

disposal site. The municipality authority is disposing all types of waste including sewerage and solid waste in the low-lying

areas without any technical or social consideration. It creates bad smell, unclean road, drainage congestion etc and finally

becomes a major threat to the environment, high risk to human health, plants and animals.Water pollution occurs when

pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into the water bodies without any/ adequate treatment to remove harmful

compounds. Exactly it is happening in Brammaputra, Dharala river and ponds of the upazila, because water running off

from improper waste dumping, drainage, untreated sewage, gray water (water from showers, sinks, dishwashers and cloth

washers), unclear road, pesticide and fertilizer of farms which can kill hundreds of marine mammals, countless fish and

birds. Sometimes solid waste like our garbage can contains hazardous waste as old batteries, bug spray cans and paint

thinner and these are always threats to public health and environment. Human waste should be transported as sewage in

waste water through sewerage system but lack of hygiene and sanitation practice of this upazila not treated it properly.

Sometimes the sma�O�O��N�L�G�V��G�R�Q�¶�W��X�V�H��W�K�H��W�R�L�O�H�W��U�D�W�K�H�U��W�K�H�\��G�R��L�W��L�Q��W�K�H��R�S�H�Q��D�L�U��%�X�W��W�K�H�\��G�R�Q�¶�W��N�Q�R�Z��K�X�P�D�Q��Z�D�V�W�H��F�D�Q��E�H��D��serious health hazard as it is a good vector for both viral and bacterial diseases.

The degree of water pollution diseases (like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and anemia) is increasing gradually

according to local thana health complex but unfortunately they did not provide any authentic data of it. But during the field

study local people informed the author that most of the time the children get sick by diarrhea and cholera; and the

pregnant women and small children are victim of anemia it cause of deaths sometimes. The presence of big amount of

vermin (rats and mice) has been noticed during the field work which indicates the impact of inappropriate waste dumping.

It is all known that vermin can spread plague. Sometimes solid waste like our garbage can contains hazardous wastes as

old batteries, bug spray cans and paint thinner and these are always threats to public health and environment.Water



pollution can be measured by physical, chemical and biological methods. Four underground water (shallow tube well) and

�I�R�X�U�� V�X�U�I�D�F�H�� Z�D�W�H�U�� S�R�Q�G�V�� K�D�Y�H�� E�H�H�Q�� D�Q�D�O�\�]�H�G�� E�\�� S�K�\�V�L�F�D�O�� D�Q�G�� F�K�H�P�L�F�D�O�� P�H�W�K�R�G�V�� 7�K�H�� V�X�U�I�D�F�H�� Z�D�W�H�U�¶�V�� V�D�P�S�O�H�V�� Z�H�U�H��slightly dark colored, slightly bitte�U��W�H�V�W�� V�O�L�J�K�W�O�\�� E�D�G��R�G�R�U�� Q�R�W��W�U�D�Q�V�S�D�U�H�Q�W��D�Q�G��S�+��L�V��D�U�R�X�Q�G��7�K�H��X�Q�G�H�U�J�U�R�X�Q�G��Z�D�W�H�U�¶�V��samples were colorless, test less, transparent with pH around over 5. The result concludes that the water of the area has

been already polluted and improper waste dumping may one of the key reasons and water pollution can be exposure

through food, drink and it has severe impact for the generation.

IV. GEOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA The study area is covered by recent alluvium deposit by the Brammaputra and Tista rivers. The subsurface

geology of this area is established on the basis of 8 bore logs data collected from DPHE, Kurigram which is expressed the

lithology, bed thickness and water table of area. On the basis of lithologic characteristics the sub-surface stratigraphy of the

study area is consists of mainly Sand (fine to medium and coarse grained sand) and Clay (clay and silty clay). Primarily

eight sites have been suggested for waste disposal and those areas are Jatrapur(S1), Mogalbachha(S2) ,Belgachha(S3),

Pangachhi(S4), Ghogadaha(S5),Bhogdanga(S6), Kanthalbari(S7), Holokhana(S8) on basis of bore logs data. The fence

diagram revels the lithology, bed thickness and water table of those areas. In the fence diagram Pangachhi(S4) and

Ghogadaha(S5) have not been used for best look figure. The primarily proposed eight areas are covered by Clay with

�W�K�L�F�N�Q�H�V�V��R�I��P��W�R��P��D�Q�G��J�H�R�P�R�U�S�K�R�O�R�J�L�F�D�O�O�\��I�O�R�R�G��S�O�D�L�Q��D�U�H�D�V��µ�&�O�D�\�¶��L�V��Q�R�W��P�D�Q�G�D�W�R�U�\��I�R�U��Z�D�V�W�H��G�L�V�S�R�V�D�O��V�L�W�H��V�H�O�H�F�W�L�R�Q��but still it could be better choice because of its geotechnical characteristics like permeability, porosity, non swelling and

good for hazard waste disposal.

Figure-2: Fence Diagram (according to the supplied data of BADC, Kurigram Zone, 1989) considering thickness up

to 80 ft (24.384 m) with water table.

(Scale: Horizontally, 1cm = 1 km; vertically, 1m = 0.2 cm)

V. GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS Geotechnical analysis is specially concern with geological studies relevant to engineering, environmental concern

and safety which are essential part in locality, planning and constructing large civil engineering projects with economically

safe and stable design. In the present study the following properties are needed to determine the porosity, permeability and

consistency limits of the primarily proposed eight areas

VI. RESULTS Eight soil samples have been collected from eight sites (S1 to S8) and porosity and permeability have been tasted

in lab. The obtained porosity varies from 52% to 59% and permeability from 10-3mD to 10-5mD of the studied areas.The

term consistency meant the relative case with soil can be deformed, mostly used for the fine-grained soils for which the

consistency is related to a large extent to water content. Eight samples have been collected of the proposed sites for both

plastic limit and liquid limit test. Liquid limit of all samples have done successfully according to ASTM-method D423, but

plastic limit of one sample named Bhogdanga (S6) could not be done according to BS 1377: test 3 (ANON, 1991). This

was crumbled before reaching 3mm thread as required for the plastic limit test due to more silt percentage. Out of eight



samples where both plastic limit and liquid limit test have done, liquid limit test values of four samples named

Pangachhi(S4), Ghogadaha(S5),Bhogdanga(S6), and Holokhana(S8) are unrealistic. Plasticity chart (Fig.3) shows that

sample S2 (from Mogalbachha), sample S3 (from Belgachha) and sample S7 (from Kanthalbari) are clay of high plasticity,

and sample S1 (from Jatrapur) are clay of intermediate plasticity. According to liquid limit viruses plasticity index chart for

common clay minerals (Fig.4) the samples are Illite clay mineral which is non-swelling in character. So, out of eight

primary proposed sites only four sites have been finally suggested for waste disposal on the basis of above results and the

areas are Kanthalbari(S7), Jatrapur(S1), Mogalbachha(S2), and Belgachha(S3).

Figure-3: Plasticity chart for classification of fine soil.

Figure-4: Liquid limit versus plasticity index for the common clay minerals. (Modified after Grim, 1962).

Table-1: Result of geotechnical analysis of the final suggested area.

Name of Sites Thickness of

surface layer in

M

Water table

from surface in

M

Porosity in % Permeability in

mD

Plasticity index

Kanthalbari 3.1 33.1 58 10-3 Intermediate

Jatrapur 6.2 32.6 54 10-4 High

Mogalbachha 6.2 33.2 52 10-5 High

Belgachha 4.1 32.4 55 10-6 High



VII. DISCUSSION Waste disposal site involves a consideration of economic, social factors, geological, geotechnical and hydro-

geological conditions. From geological point of view, the waste disposal site should be away from recent flood plain,

wetlands, unstable areas, seismically active zone and faulted areas (ANON, 1991). A waste disposal site should be selected

ensuring aesthetic importance of the area. The site should be at least 200 meters away from residential area (Bell, 2003), so

that the insect, pest or bird would not disturb the neighborhood. The type and thickness of the topmost layer upon which

the waste will be dumped is the most important factor to select a waste disposal site. If the topmost layer is Clay with

acceptable thickness could be best site, because thick clay layer can prevents the leaching to contaminate the ground water

because of impermeability of the clay. The suggested four sites Kanthalbari, Jatrapur, Mogalbachha, and Belgachha are free

from fault, any seismic activity and hydro-geologically acceptable which would not threat both ground and surface water.

These four sites are consisting of good quality Clay (Illite type) with acceptable thickness, good permeability, minimum

porosity, and high to intermediate plasticity non-swelling characteristics.All the sites do not flooded in recent past, well

connected with city center, far from residential area and are safe from any kind of air pollution or biologic effect. From

extensive consideration of economic, social factors, geological, geotechnical and hydro-geological aspect the proposed four

sites will be best for the studied area.

7.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste would be huge (1, 500000 Kg/month) within very short time and could be a major threat to the

environment, high risk to human health, plants and animals. Only proper waste management practice can converts the



Step-5: The best combination is as Organic waste: Buffalo manure: Rice hull ash at a ratio of 2:1:1 [Nenita E. dela Cruz1

et.al].

Step-6: The combined solid waste (Organic waste, buffalo manure and rice hull ash) is needed to mix properly, added water

and piled under shaded area for decomposition. The total decomposition takes 27-30 days then it needs to spread in the sun

to dry it up and it takes 6-7 days [Nenita E. dela Cruz1 et.al]. Then the produced organic fertilizer gets ready for use.

IX. IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The conversion of solid wastes into a valuable resource such as organic fertilizer is a significant strategy for saving

the Earth from further degradation generated by improper waste disposal and management. Moreover, the continuous use

of organic fertilizer as a source of plant nutrients for vegetable production not only reduces the cost of fertilizer but serves

as the ultimate solution for restoring the lost fertility of agricultural soils as well as soil health; this leads to sustained soil

productivity.Production of organic fertilizer from solid wastes and its subsequent utilization in crop production and soil

rehabilitation is therefore recommended to reduce the volume of wastes that are brought to dumpsites, minimize

environmental pollution and degradation and increase the productivity of agricultural land.As Bangladesh is an

agricultural based country, government doing his best level to boost up this sector. Lately the price of fertilizers increased

rapidly allover the world but Bangladesh government still providing fertilizers in very cheap price to the farmers because

government is spending huge amount of money for subsidy on fertilizers.The present author offers few recommendations

that might be helpful for the government and farmers to move up the faming of this upazila.

This project will be controlled by local Municipality Corporation under one project manager and he will be assisted

by four supervisors and 45 workers will work in this project.

In the first phage of this project creates 50 job opportunities which will gradually increase within very short time and

�W�K�L�V��Z�L�O�O��K�H�O�S��W�K�H��J�R�Y�H�U�Q�P�H�Q�W��W�R��I�X�O�I�L�O�O��W�K�H��S�U�R�P�L�V�H��µ�R�Q�H��S�H�U�V�R�Q��I�U�R�P��H�D�F�K��I�D�P�L�O�\��Z�L�O�O��E�H��S�U�R�Y�L�G�H�G��D��M�R�E�¶��

The production of organic fertilizer from waste requires the waste sorting area, shredding area, composed of

assembly area, composting area, drying area, packing area, storage area and drainage sock well system. The local

government (Kurigram Sadar Upazila Municipality) will ensure all those facilities.

Kurigram Sadar Upazila Municipality will provide free of charge yearly total 20Kg (10 Kg fertilizer in March and

10 Kg in October) organic fertilizer to all the farmers (40,000 farmers) of the upazila.

If any farmer wants more organic fertilizer, he can bye it from local government (Kurigram Sadar Upazila

Municipality) at present market rate.

10 Kg organic fertilizer can be used in 0.33 acre land (amount of fertilizer depends on the fertility of the land).

The local government (Kurigram Sadar Upazila Municipality) will launch work shop, training, advertisements and

free of charge advice regarding the use of the fertilizer.

If this project will successful, it can apply allover Bangladesh.

X. PROJECTED PRODUCTION RATE, FREE DISTRIBUTION, COST AND BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT

The average production of organic fertilizer is 10% of total combined waste [Gusri Effendi S.]. It is already

mentioned that the best combination is as, Biodegradable waste: Buffalo manure: Rice hull ash at a ratio of 2:1:1.

Biodegradable waste is free of cost but buffalo manure (or cow dung) and rice hull ashes have to buy. The non biodegraded

waste is about 500,000 kg waste (let 50% of it) is sellable at 1,250,000 taka (5 taka/Kg). Production cost of each cycle

comes as; for rice hull ashes 2,000,000 taka ( maximum rate 4 taka/Kg), for cow dung 500,000 taka ( maximum rate 1

�W�D�N�D��.�J��H�P�S�O�R�\�H�G��S�H�R�S�O�H�¶�V��P�R�Q�W�K�O�\��V�D�O�D�U�\��W�D�N�D��S�D�F�N�L�Q�J��F�R�V�W��W�D�N�D��D�Q�G��W�K�H��R�W�K�H�U��F�R�V�W��(�D�F�K��cycle total production cost comes 1,750,000 taka (2,000,000+500,000+200,000+100,000 +200,000-1,250,000=1,750,000).

The price of fertilizer is variable and the present government providing fertilizers at is 25 taka/Kg (variable) price on

subsidy to support the farmers.

Table-2: Projected table for one cycle (27-30 days).

Name of item Weight in Kg Cost in taka

Organic waste 1,000,000 Free

Buffalo manure/ Cow dung 500,000 500,000 (1 taka/Kg)

Rice hull ash 5,00000 2,000,000 (4 taka/Kg)

Produced fertilizer 200,000 3,250,000 (5,000,000-1,750,000)

(25 taka/Kg)



Table-3: Projected production and net cost at the end of the year.

Name of item Weight in Kg Net cost in taka

Each cycle produced fertilizer 200,000 3,250,000

Whole year produced fertilizer 2,400,000 39,000,000

Each year 12 cycles (2,400,000 Kg) of fertilizer production is possible and its net cost 39,000,000 taka. Local government

is suggested to provide free of cost organic fertilizer twice in a year to all the farmers and it will be the production of 4

cycles (800,000Kg) fertilizers and its cost 1,00,00000 taka; and the remaining fertilizer production of 8 cycles

(1600,000Kg) is totally sellable and its price is about 29,000,000 taka . So, at the end of the year total profit will be

29,000,000 taka (39,000,000-10,000,000) from 8 cycles (12-4 cycles)

Table-4: Projected costs benefit data.

Name of Item Weight in kg Taka

Annually total production 2,400,000 39,000,000

Annually total free distribution 800,000 10,000,000

Annually sellable after distribution 1,600,000 29,000,000

XI. CONCLUSION �7�K�H��S�U�R�M�H�F�W��µ�:�D�V�W�H��W�R��2�U�J�D�Q�L�F��I�H�U�W�L�O�L�]�H�U�¶��Z�R�X�O�G��E�H��X�Q�L�T�X�H��S�U�R�M�H�F�W��I�R�U��G�H�Y�H�O�R�S�L�Q�J��F�R�X�Q�W�U�L�H�V��O�L�N�H��%�D�Q�J�O�D�G�H�V�K��/�D�W�H�O�\��

it has been applied all over the world and becomes profitable, popular and environmental friendly. The Central Luzon State

University (CLSU), Philippines, has devised ways to convert solid wastes into a valuable resource �† organic fertilizer �†

and its subsequent utilization as a source of plant nutrients in intensive small-scale organic-based vegetable production and

for sustaining soil health and productivity. Government will be able to provide free of cost organic fertilizer without paying

any subsidy on fertilizer to all the farmers of the upazila. It will create 50 job fields which will gradually increase within

very short time �D�Q�G�� W�K�L�V�� Z�L�O�O�� K�H�O�S�� W�K�H�� J�R�Y�H�U�Q�P�H�Q�W�� W�R�� I�X�O�I�L�O�O�� W�K�H�� S�U�R�P�L�V�H�� µ�R�Q�H�� S�H�U�V�R�Q��I�U�R�P��H�D�F�K��I�D�P�L�O�\�� Z�L�O�O��E�H��S�U�R�Y�L�G�H�G��D��M�R�E�¶�� 0�R�U�H�R�Y�H�U�� O�R�F�D�O��J�R�Y�H�U�Q�P�H�Q�W��Z�L�O�O��E�H��D�E�O�H��W�R��P�D�N�H��S�U�R�I�L�W��D�E�R�X�W�� W�D�N�D��\�H�D�U�O�\��&�R�Q�Y�H�U�W�L�Q�J��V�R�O�L�G��Z�D�V�W�H��L�Q�W�R��organic fertilizer will not only increase farm household income but also become a stable source of organic fertilizer for

rehabilitating highly nutrient depleted agricultural soils and reduce environmental pollution generated by improper waste

disposal

REFERENCES

Journal Papers:

[1] Bell, G. F., (2003), Geological Hazards: Their Assessment, Avoidance and Mitigation, Spon Press, London, 648 p.

[2] Gusri Effendi S., Effective Solid Waste and Land Management in Tangerang City, Indonesia

Reports:

[3] Land and soil resource use guideline, Kurigram Sadar Upazila, Ministry of Agricultural Ministry, Bangladesh.

[4] ANON, (1991), Rules and regulation, Federal Register, Vol. 56, no. 196.

Theses:

[5] Nenita E. dela Cruz1, Clarita P. Aganon1, Marilyn G.Patricio2, Ellen S. Romero3, Sandra A. Lindain3 and Jonathan

L. Galindez3, Production of Organic Fertilizer from Solid Waste and Its Utilization in Intensive Organic-Based

Vegetable Production and for Sustaining Soil Health and Productivity, Ramon Magsaysay Center for Agricultural

Resources and Environment Studies (RM-CARES), Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva

Ecija, 3120 Philippines, 2008-01-17

Stakeholder Discussion:

[6] Chairman, Kurigram municipality Corporation.



Biographies and Photographs

1st Author:

Dr. Chowdhury Quamruzzaman

Associate Professor

Department of Geology

University of Dhaka

Research Interest: Mining and Geological Engineering, Environmental Science.

2

nd Author:

A.K.M Fayazul Kabir

MS-Student


University of Dhaka

Research Interest: Mining and Geological Engineering, Environmental Science,

Geotechnical Engineering.

3

rd Author:

Dr. A.S.M. Woobaid ullah

Professor


University of Dhaka

Research Interest: Geophysics, Mining and Geological Engineering, Environmental

Science.

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H023044051